Adrienne, like most of our International buyers, was literally enchanted by the beauty of Lake Como. But there’s more, in her case: like a real traveler (that kind of travelers we love), she wanted a truly authentic Italian experience and a neighborhood that she could immerse herself in.

Adrienne during her explorations of Lake Como (here in Dongo)

So when she came to the lake last summer, she decided - without overthinking too much - to buy her second home right there. She chose a rustic townhouse in the refined hamlet of Loveno, one of the charming districts of Menaggio. The house boasted a wealth of original details that Adrienne - a woman of deep 360° culture, great sensitivity, and admirable energy - loved since the very first time.

This is what we appreciate most about clients like Adrienne: their genuine enthusiasm, the desire to buy a property at Lake Como not for a mere whim but for a real desire to immerse themselves in the culture and the community of our area.

Read her lovely story here below and let yourself be inspired by her contagious positive energy!

Why have you chosen Lake Como as a location for buying your second home in Italy?

I did not choose Lake Como, Lake Como chose us! I have always dreamt of living in a European village as a child. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know myself! lol. I grew up in Jamaica (the island) and Italy is a world away. Reading about Italy, and Europe in general, in my history classes and books, it just seemed so whimsical and enchanting. The history, the beauty, the diversity of the landscape, the languages. I decided, when I retired in the future I would move to Europe. France, Italy or Switzerland were my locations of choice. My husband was persuaded to come on board for our post retirement plans.
I wanted a location that was close enough to a major international airport for convenient flights to travel to other destinations, the USA and our countries of origin. Lake Como fits this bill perfectly! We have flown into Malpensa, Bergamo and Linate. All provided diverse and convenient flights making traveling easy and affordable.
It was important to be located close to the businesses and conveniences offered in larger/major cities. Milan and Lugano (Switzerland) are within close enough driving distance of Lake Como.
As we age and enter our retirement phase later on, we have to think about practical necessities. I was especially happy that there is a hospital in Menaggio and competent medical specialists, as well as world class hospitals in Milan and Lugano if we ever need it.
Being on vacation in Lake Como and living (or spending a considerable amount of time here) comes with different sets of needs. I loved the fact that Porlezza, Lugano and Como are conveniently located to Loveno, for our everyday, non vacation needs.
We have spent many years living in New York City. Using mass transit is the norm in NYC. It was another plus that there are buses and ferries that make commuting around the lake convenient if having a car is not possible, or I just don’t feel like driving.
The Lake Como area has a wide variety of activities and so many conveniently located little towns to keep one engaged and entertained. There is a tennis and golf club in Menaggio. One can go sailing, kayaking, kite surfing or paddle boarding on the lake. There are hiking trails. Cycling along the lake is just breathtakingly beautiful. One can visit wineries, the many villas and historic sites around the lake and also take cooking lessons. The possibilities are endless with the activities that Lake Como offers. There are also so many other amazing locations (such as fantastic hot springs and skiing areas) to visit that are under 2 hrs drive from Lake Como.
Restaurants! Do I need to say more? Lake Como has many fabulous hotels if a spa day is needed.
The locals and others that we have met who live here, or spend significant time here, have been so welcoming, kind and helpful.
Lake Como is a world renowned tourist destination. But, we also wanted an authentic Italian experience and a neighborhood that we could immerse ourselves in. Menaggio was the perfect location for our needs.
We were not even thinking of purchasing a property in Italy at the moment when we decided to vacation in Lake Como. Luckily for us Sara, Laura and the team at LAKESIDE immediately responded to our online enquiry and made the buying process so EASY and enjoyable. It was the universe’s sign showing us that LAKE COMO was where we belonged and the perfect location for our second home.

Did you know the area before?

We knew of the area. Before visiting Lake Como, Lake Garda was my husband's absolutely favorite vacation destination. We never got around to visiting Lake Como. But we were aware that Northern Italy has fantastic lake regions.

Have you explored the rest of Italy?

I have visited Italy numerous times. I have visited Sicily and the Amalfi Coast a few times. Venice, Naples, Milan, Rome etc, The major tourist destinations. My husband proposed in Rome 13 years ago. I guess we were always meant to be in Italy. In this season of our life, we would love to visit other less traveled locations of Italy.

What did you know about Lake Como / what was your perception of the lake from abroad?

I knew of the Lake Como area. We previously visited Lake Garda. So I figured Lake Como was similar in experiences. We visited St. Moritz right before the pandemic and passed by Lake Como during our train ride from Tirano to Milan, and the reverse. We mentioned wanting to visit during warmer times. I really had no preconceived notions of the area. I just knew it was a beautiful place that I wanted to visit. Then the pandemic happened. We had a vacation booked for another destination. We decided at the last minute to visit Lake Como instead, as there was so much uncertainty and restrictions with visiting places when the restrictions of the pandemic were being lifted.
I did not do much research into the area prior to our last minute decision to visit.
Thank god we didn’t do too much research about the area and the property purchasing process prior to our arrival in Lake Como! After signing the contract to purchase our house, I started doing research about the process of buying a property in Italy. It seemed that others had or were having such difficult experiences. Luckily I hadn’t done any research prior to whimsically deciding to purchase here. Maybe I would have thought this was something impossible or too much trouble at this stage of our lives.
Sometimes one must go with the flow. Let the universe worry about the finer details!

What do you think makes Lake Como so special compared to other locations in Italy or Europe?

Lake Como is just a magical place that resonates with my soul. It has all the convenience of being located close to major cities and to Switzerland! I felt as if we got a ‘two for one deal’ in terms of location, when we purchased our townhouse in Loveno. We have visited many destinations that are beautiful, but none ever compelled us to purchase a property!
Even when we visited Lake Como during the height of the tourist season, the area just felt so peaceful, serene, calm and unforgettably beautiful to us. Everywhere provided a feast for our eyes. The lake, the mountains, the architecture, the flora and fauna!
We previously visited the Amalfi coast and Santorini during the summer. Even though they were beautiful, my experience felt very ‘chaotic’ and somewhat curated for tourists. Lake Como in comparison feels like a magnificent place, in all seasons, that just so happens to attract visitors.
There is such a diversity in scenery, from lakes to snow capped mountains in the winters. I can’t imagine anyone visiting and not being transfixed by its beauty.
Of his impression of Lake Como, author Henry James wrote, “It is all so unreal, so fictitious, so elegant and idle..”.
William Wordsworth mused that Lake Como is “A treasure, which the Earth keeps to itself.”.
Percy Bysshe Shelley, a romantic poet wrote, “ This lake exceeds anything I have ever beheld in beauty.”.
Words can never fully encapsulate how naturally radiant Lake Como is to me. The words of these poets show that I am not the only person who has been mesmerized by the area.

3 Poetries About Lake Como You Should Read on World Poetry Day

You end up buying a romantic townhouse in Loveno, a truly characterful property that many had noticed on the market. What made you fall in love with it?

I know everyone thinks the location where they visit/purchase on Lake Como is perfect. But we truly believe Menaggio, and specifically Loveno, is so perfectly situated. It ticked all our boxes and then some. We wanted to be in the mid lake region as this area gets more sunlight. The road infrastructure leading to the house is also in excellent condition and more driver friendly compared to other towns around the lake. Driving along some of these winding roads is not for the faint of heart.
We were looking for a property with character and charm that we could put our personal stamp on. We loved that we were surrounded by other equally charming, beautiful and historic villas and houses. The cobblestone streets leading to the property, the cozy Italian courtyard, the vines growing along the wall, the climbing rose bush that greeted us at the front door, the property having an exposed brick, domed ceiling cellar. All made me tingle with excitement when I first saw the property.
I could visualize what the property would look like once renovated and lived in. I wanted a ‘typical’ Italian house and neighborhood. This town house and Loveno delivered.
Also this multilevel property could provide space and privacy when needed.
Also the Parish Church of SS. Lorenzo e Agnese, built in the 1600s. It is a short, easy walk away from our house. It is such a beautiful, inviting church. It has many magnificent works of art. I look forward to attending Christmas eve mass here!
Our impression of Loveno was that it was just an authentically charming village. Being introduced to this perfect, for us, townhouse by Laura and Sara could not have been a better ‘stroke of luck’.

What was your first feeling of the quiet Loveno hamlet and Menaggio overall? What do you like about Loveno/Menaggio in particular?

During our first visit to Lake Como, traveling on the ferry to Menaggio was such an enchanting experience. We stepped off the ferry and I was happy! Our experience only got better from there. I love the location of Loveno as it is close enough to the activities and conveniences of Menaggio’s main square (and other towns) but far enough away that I can feel removed from the larger crowds that the warmer months bring. On our first drive to Loveno we found ourselves repeating ‘That is such a beautiful property! This is such a beautiful neighborhood!’ I know the entire Lake Como area is beautiful, but there are some neighborhoods that sings to one’s heart. Loveno sang to mine!

Adrienne in Menaggio (Castello district)

How was your property search at Lake Como before identifying the house in Menaggio?

This will be a short answer. I promise I am less impulsive in my everyday life! Please don’t judge me lol. We came on vacation and fell in love with the Lake Como area. I sent a few inquiries to realtors to see a few properties. Laura from LAKESIDE responded, sent us a few options to look at and told us about this town house in Loveno. By this time we had returned home. We requested a video of the townhouse, which they happily obliged. We returned one month later. This was the first property we saw on the second day after we returned to Menaggio, a month later. We viewed a few other properties. But we knew the first property we saw was the one for us. We made an offer and it was accepted within the week of our arrival. The rest is history! In total I spent less than 3 hrs searching for properties in Lake Como. We were very specific in what we wanted and we were provided with properties that eliminated the need for an extensive property search. The team at LAKESIDE are rock stars!

Do you think it's easy to buy a property at Lake Como overall? Did you find any difficulty/challenge along the way?

We sold and purchased a home in New York city and purchased our townhouse in Loveno during a 12 month period. The real estate market was hot! Realtors were not answering enquiries or questions. Houses went under contract, many after multiple bids/offers, within a week, or even a day!
It felt as if one needed a reference from the Pope to buy a property during this hectic time period. Our experience purchasing our townhouse with LAKESIDE was easily our EASIEST and most efficient property transaction ever! Yes I had to put that in capital letters.
Questions were answered promptly and thoroughly (I had many!) Referrals were efficiently made by the team at LAKESIDE for other services and professionals that we needed, before, during and after the buying process. The team anticipated issues before they arose and always had a solution waiting.
It was a pleasure to sit at the table with everyone to finalize the purchase process. Everyone was so happy and relaxed. It was the most seamless transaction we have ever experienced. We kept on asking ourselves, how was it possible to so easily purchase a property when we lived an entire continent away?
The process of setting up utilities and starting renovation is taking longer than I would like. That has been our only ‘difficulty’. But in all fairness, I would like to have started renovations the day after we received our keys lol. The thing that makes Lake Como and Italy alluring, is also the thing that slows down our plans. People work at their own pace here. We love Lake Como because it is the complete opposite of New York City. So I just have to ease into ‘Italian time’, go along and appreciate the ‘La Dolce Vita’.

What do you feel like recommending to foreign clients who are looking for their second home at Lake Como?

Having a competent, responsive and the right team during your home buying process goes such a long way. Establish a practical list of your wants and needs in a neighborhood/location. Determine your budget and how flexible this budget is. Don’t miss out on the perfect property that is a little but more expensive, but still affordable! Determine your preferred locations and the characteristics of the property that you are looking to purchase. I believe in first impressions for my property buying process. When I start ‘rationalizing’ why a property is an ok option, I immediately realize that it is not.
Being thorough and specific in one’s requirements eliminates the long property search. It allows us to have a pulse on the market/properties so we can be decisive when the right property comes along. It also prevents us from wasting our time and enduring property search fatigue. We requested to see a few other properties. Based on our requirements, Laura provided us with information on these properties, but was honest in the feedback on why the location and types of houses would not be the right fit for us. Well...., we just had to see for ourselves. We saw similar properties with another realtor. Laura and Sara were right. They were terrible options for us! A good real estate team eliminates such time wasting expeditions.
There is no time like the present to buy real estate. Always be on the lookout. There is no specific market/time for the perfect property or a good deal. They surface in all real estate markets.
Enjoy the process of purchasing and enjoy your new home. Italy, specifically the Lake Como area, are unique by themselves. In order to truly enjoy and thrive we must appreciate and embrace the area for what it is.

Why Buying Through a Licensed Real Estate Agent In Italy Is Crucial

Are you planning any renovation to your house in Loveno?

Yes! The thing that immediately drew us to the property was its character. I am absolutely, in-love with the fact that it is an older property that had original details such as rustic terracotta tile floors, as well as a space in the cellar with dome ceilings and exposed brick walls. We preferred a property that had original details and not the aesthetics of a modern apartment or designs that we could find in anywhere-ville.
We plan to complete a few needed updates to the plumbing and electrical systems. I truly hope that we will be able to keep as much of the original details as possible.
I am actually looking forward to bringing to fruition our vision during the renovation. The renovation part that I am most looking forward to? The renovation of the cellar. I hope to bring it back to life as a cozy Italian wine cellar.

Learn more about renovations in Italy: request our handy guide!

How often are you GOING to live in this house?

If the timing was right, I would immediately make the area our permanent home! We plan to spend as much time as possible here. I want to experience everything the area has to offer during the different seasons and times of the year. There is so much to do and see in the different towns. Or do nothing at all and just relax and decompress!

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We think every house has its own song. Is there (yet) a song you link to your lovely new home in Loveno?

The following songs are part of my repertoire of music which aptly encapsulate how I feel about Loveno, and the Lake Como area in general:
Roni Jordan - Heaven
Boney James - Another Day in Paradise
Ronnie Laws - Life In Paradise
These songs instantly provide a sensory memory and transport me back to our magical experiences at Lake Como. The title of the songs aptly describe how I feel about Loveno. A peaceful, relaxing, and an immeasurably beautiful place that felt like paradise!
I look forward to listening to “Heaven” by Roni Jordan while visually luxuriating in the beauty and peace of this magical place during the warmer months or curled up under a warm blanket, listening to the crackle of our fireplace, while enjoying a good book in the winter.

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Is there any other location of Lake Como you particularly like? - and if so, why?

We like visiting Dongo. We enjoy sitting by the water front and seeing a more local everyday life in comparison to Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna... We loved seeing the locas sail up on their boats and hop out for a drink or bite to eat. Also given Dongo’s historical significance, it is such an interesting place to visit. Also honorary mention of Varenna. It is the location of one of my favorite restaurants here, Al Prato, as well as a charming town of course!

Menaggio Is At The Heart of Lake Como, And That's Why We Love It [Infographic]

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Here's Adrienne's Story: She Bought an Authentic Rustico To Renovate in Menaggio